Cyclocross - Really need assistance with selecting a bike

Hello everyone, let me start by saying my entering into the cyclocross world isn't going too well. I tried to take advantage of a great deal through performance bike for the '09 Fuji Cross Comp for $799, and although their system said my order was placed, it actually never took - which I just found out today and when I tried to place an order over the phone they were sold out (which is really too bad because I was looking to stay under $1,000 and this bike would have been more than perfect.) So, I'm at a loss of where to go next. I've been reading the posts and getting ideas of bikes that would be good for starters, but what would you all suggest I do...? Let me say, I am also planning to use this bike as a commuter, roughly 15+ miles a day with some rocky parts and a hill or two.

The biggest issue though is that I am currently living in Warsaw, Poland so I don't have the luxury of going to a LBS where everything they are/I am saying gets me the right bike. I plan to go to a LBS tomorrow to see what they have and hopefully get a step closer to making a purchase. Any advice or assistance you all can provide is greatly appreciated.

Seems like you're on the right path in terms of wanting to get a cyclocross. The closeout special on the 09 Fuji cross comp was a good deal; I bought one in person at performance in April during Fuji month for $799 with 20% back on performance card. It is unfortunate that the order never took. Maybe bite the bullet and buy 2010 model? Granted it will be 2-300 more than but I think it looks better than the 09, plus if you have the performance club that's more money back towards upgrades! I also thought the Focus cyclocross looked pretty good but didn't have one in my size to test ride.

The store here in Colorado Springs has one 52 cm 2009 Fuji Cross Comp left as of this evening at 5:30. If this is your size, I'm sure the bike can be shipped to your store. I was looking because I got the last 56 cm :D

I contacted the Performance Bike near my parents house in Va/WDC and they of course didn't have any more of the '09 Fuji's of course (and none in the area either) but the sales person on the phone said he recommended the '09 GT GTR Type CX (although I forget what size they said they had and he said the '09 was better than the '10). I have been looking at the bike online and I know that the Shimano and Sram components are different (the way they shift, etc.) but if I can find the size I need 54cm (I think the sales person said that is the same as the medium in the GT) should I go for that or just bite the bullet as BikeFoz says and get the '10 Fuji?

I tried going to some local shops here is Warsaw but they were all closed and from what I saw in the windows they didn't really have anything worth my time seeing when they were open.

My last issue with getting a bike is that I "think" I need a 54cm. I tried out a road bike the other day that was a 55cm and it fit perfectly. So I went online and checked the geometry of that bike against the Fuji and it looked like I could go with either the 54cm or the 56cm. Given that I am ordering online and won't be able to test out the bike in person to get the right fit which size should I get? I'm 6'0" with a 32' inseam (floor to crotch measurement). Which would dictate I need a 54cm bike.

Really appreciate the help so far... and I hope to make a purchase soon.

I am your exact twin as far as measurements and a 56 is borderline small for me. I like the tighter fit though. Be sure you ride it first.

For cyclocross it's better if you go one size smaller than your road bike fit especially if you are racing. Also I would take SRAM Rival over 105 any day of the week. That GT looks like a very sweet deal too.

I was able to score an '09 Fuji Cross Comp at a Performance Bike in MD. I called every store in the No. VA/WDC area and everyone was pretty much sold out of any make of cyclocross bike, especially the GT's given the deal they were giving on them. But if I had found the '09 GT in my size I would have spent the extra and gotten that.

I had my parents go pick up the Fuji for me and they are working to get it into the mail and send it out to me. Should be here in week or so.

Now that I have some more points with Performance, what should I think about getting? Already have some SPD pedals, shoes I'll get locally as I hate buying clothes/shoes over the internet, I have lights for commuting. But is there anything that I should look at getting or am I pretty much good to go for a while?

Thanks for all of the help, I am sure I will need some more in the future.

I think you are good.

Just wanted to say congrats on scoring that bike! Way to keep tryin'. I bought the Fuji Comp Cross as well (end of April). I was looking at them online, decided to go to my local Performance and they happened to have a 54 (my size), and said it was the last one they had left in CO. The more I read about these bikes, the better I feel about buying it and at the price I got it. :D

Now that I have some more points with Performance, what should I think about getting? Already have some SPD pedals, shoes I'll get locally as I hate buying clothes/shoes over the internet, I have lights for commuting. But is there anything that I should look at getting or am I pretty much good to go for a while?

Fenders? Road tires?

Nice bike. Congrats.